Gaza child faces danger after returning home post-heart surgery

In May 2025, Enas and her seven-month-old daughter Niveen were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan for urgent medical treatment due to Niveen's congenital heart condition. During a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Niveen was among 29 sick Gazan children who received medical care in Jordanian hospitals. However, shortly after their arrival, the ceasefire ended, and military offensive resumed, raising concerns over the safety of the families left behind in Gaza. On May 12, Jordanian authorities informed Enas that she and Niveen needed to return to Gaza, claiming Niveen had completed her treatment despite Enas's belief that her daughter still required medical attention. The situation was compounded by the fact that they were returning to a war zone, where medical resources are severely limited. Upon returning to Gaza, Enas was reunited with her husband and other children, but they were filled with anxiety over Niveen's health. Reports indicated that 17 children were sent back to Gaza by Jordan after reportedly completing their treatment. While Jordanian officials maintained that all returning children were in good medical condition and that the decision to send them back was due to logistical and political reasons, the health ministry in Gaza contested these claims. They asserted that the children were returned despite still needing care, thus endangering their lives further. While Enas and other parents expressed deep concern for the well-being of their children in such perilous circumstances, the harsh realities of life in Gaza resumed with fear and scant resources. They felt that their children's medical progress might be undone by returning to an environment rife with danger, especially for vulnerable infants like Niveen. Furthermore, the parents indicated that their families had been stripped of vital medical records during the process, complicating ongoing treatment. In a heart-wrenching statement, Nihaya described the emotional toll of being separated from her children while seeking care in Jordan and the dread of returning home empty-handed without necessary medical documentation. As the conflict continues, the impact on the miniature lives facing peril due to inadequate medical facilities and unstable conditions in Gaza becomes even more critical. Amidst the ongoing situation, parents grapple with the dichotomy of seeking the best for their children while dealing with the harrowing reality of war that threatens their very existence. This situation raises austere questions about the responsibilities of nations during warfare and their obligations towards the health of children, who are disproportionately affected during such crises.